every possible means to procure reenforcements. He desired and hoped to assemble an army of at least ten thousand men, as a smaller number would not be adequate to guard his extensive line of defence. But the affair of recruiting proceeded very tardily. The inhabitants manifested at this time an extreme backwardness to enlist under the banners of Congress, whether from a natural coldness, or because the policy of the English, or the persuasion of the American generals themselves, had given currency to an opinion that the royal army was not to undertake the siege of Ticonderoga; but, that embarking upon the Saint Lawrence, it would proceed by sea, to operate its junction with that under general Howe. Hence, when the royal troops made their sudden appearance under the walls of Ticonderoga, the troops of general Schuyler amounted, at the utmost, to not over five thousand men, including the garrison of the fortress, which consisted of little above three thousand, a number quite inadequate to the defence of so vast a circuit of walls, and of so many outworks.

Ticonderoga lies upon the western bank of that narrow inlet, by which the water from Lake George is conveyed to Lake Champlain. Crown Point lies about a dozen miles further north, at the opposite extremity of that inlet. The first of these places is situated on an angle of land, which is surrounded on three sides by water, and that covered by steep and difficult rocks. A great part of the fourth side was covered by a deep morass, and where that fails, the old French lines still continued as a defence on the northwest quarter. The Americans had strengthened these lines with additional works and a blockhouse. In like manner, on the left, towards Lake George, and at the place where the sawmills were situated, they had erected new works and blockhouses, as also to the right of the French lines, in the direction of Lake Champlain. On the eastern bank of the inlet, and opposite to Ticonderoga, rises a high circular hill, to which the Americans gave the name of Mount Independence. On the summit of this hill is a small plain, where they had erected a star fort; the sides and foot of the mountain were strengthened with works to the water's edge, and the intrenchments well lined with heavy cannon. In order to maintain a free communication between the fortress and Mount Independence, the Americans had constructed a bridge over the inlet, a work of difficult and laborious execution. The bridge was supported on twenty-two timber piers of vast dimensions, sunken at nearly equal distance; the spaces between these were filled with separate floats, each about fifty feet long and twelve feet wide, and the whole was held together by chains and rivets of immense size. To prevent the enemy from approaching with his numerous ships, and attempting to force the bridge, it was defended on the side towards Lake Champlain by a boom composed of very large pieces of timber, joined together with iron bolts and chains of prodigious thickness. Thus, not only the passage was kept open between these two posts, but all access by

water from the northern side was totally cut off. The part of the inlet which is below Ticonderoga, and which may be considered as the head of Lake Champlain, widens considerably and becomes navigable to vessels of burthen; but the other part, which is above the fortress, and is the issue of Lake George, besides being narrow, is also rendered impracticable by shallows and falls. But on its arrival at Ticonderoga, it is joined by a great body of water on the eastern side, called, in this part, South river, and higher up towards its source, as we have already said in a preceding book, it is known under the appellation of Wood Creek. The confluence of these waters, at Ticonderoga forms a small bay to the southward of the bridge of communication, and the point of land formed by their junction, is composed of a mountain called Sugar Hill, otherwise known by the name of Mount Defiance. From this mountain the fort of Ticonderoga is overlooked and effectually commanded. This circumstance occasioned a consultation among the Americans, in which it was proposed to fortify that mountain; but finding themselves too feeble to man the fortifications they had already erected, they renounced the design. It was likewise hoped, that the extreme steepness of its ascent, and the savage irregularity of the ground on its summit and sides, would prevent the enemy from attempting to occupy it, at least with artillery. The defence of Ticonderoga was committed to the charge of general St. Clair, with a garrison of three thousand men, one third of whom were militia from the northern provinces. But they were ill equipped, and worse armed, particularly in the article of bayonets, an arm so essential in the defence of lines; not having one to ten of their number.

On the second of July, the British right wing under general Phillips, having appeared upon the left flank of the fortress, St. Clair, too weak to defend all the outworks, or believing the enemy stronger than he was in reality, immediately ordered the evacuation of the intrenchments which had been erected upon the banks of the inlet of Lake George, above Ticonderoga. This order was executed with promptitude, not, however, without having first burnt or destroyed whatever was found in this part, and especially, the blockhouses and sawmills. General Phillips profiting of the occasion, took possession, without the least opposition on the part of the besieged, of a post of great importance, called Mount Hope, which besides commanding their lines in a great and dangerous degree, totally cut off their communication with Lake George. Mount Hope being thus secured, the British corps which had advanced upon the western bank of Lake Champlain, extended itself from the mountain to the lake, so as completely to invest the fort on the part of the northwest, and to cut off its communication with the land. The German column, commanded by Reidesel, which had marched along the eastern shore of the lake, was also arrived under the walls of the fortress, and was established at Three-miles Point, extending itself from the bank of the lake, be

hind Mount Independence, as far as East Creek. From this place, by stretching more forward, it might easily occupy the ground comprehended between East Creek and South River, or Wood Creek, and thus deprive the Americans of their communication with Skeenesborough by the right bank of the latter stream. But the most interesting post for the English, was that of Mount Defiance, which so completely commanded the fortress that it was beyond all doubt, if batteries were planted there, that the garrison must immediately evacuate the place, or surrender at discretion. This eminence being therefore attentively examined by the British generals, they believed it possible, though with infinite labor and difficulty, to establish their artillery upon its summit. This arduous task was immediately undertaken and pushed with such spirit and industry, that on the fifth day, the road was completed, the artillery mounted, and ready to open its fire on the following morning. The garrison were afraid to sally out, in order to annoy, or even to retard the besiegers, in these works; they were, therefore, in danger of losing all way of retreat. St. Clair knew very well that after the loss of Mount Defiance, there was no longer any resource for Ticonderoga, and that he could not even aspire to the honor of a short resistance. The only way of escape that he had left, was the narrow passage between East Creek and Wood Creek, which Reidesel could shut up at any moment. In these circumstances, St. Clair, having convened in council the principal officers of the garrison, represented to them the critical situation in which they were placed, thus pressed by the enemy, and upon the very point of being hemmed in on every side. He asked them if they did not think it would be proper to evacuate the place without loss of time; they were all in favor of the measure.

It is impossible to blame this determination of the council of war of Ticonderoga; for, independently of the progress already made by the besiegers, the garrison was so feeble that it would not have been able to defend one half of the works, or to sustain, for any length of time, the consequent excess of fatigue. By remaining, therefore, the fortress and the garrison were both lost, by departing, only the first and the second might be saved. It was known also to St. Clair, that general Schuyler, who was then at Fort Edward, far from being able to bring him succour, had not even forces sufficient for his own defence. But here an objection presents itself which has never yet been satisfactorily answered. Since the American generals found their force insufficient for the defence of the place, why did they not evacuate it in time, and when they might have done so with safety? They would thus have been sure of saving at least their baggage, stores and artillery. If they were deceived respecting the real force of the enemy, and therefore, at first, believed themselves able to resist him, even this error, could only have proceeded from a defect of military skill, so extraordinary as to admit of no excuse.

However it was, having taken their resolution, they thought of nothing but executing it with promptitude, and in the night of the fifth of July, they put themselves in motion. General St. Clair led the vanguard, and colonel Francis the rear. The soldiers had received orders to maintain a profound silence, and to take with them sustenance for eight days. The baggage of the army, the furniture of the hospital, with all the sick, and such artillery, stores and provisions as the necessity of the time would permit, were embarked with a strong detachment under colonel Long, on board above two hundred batteaux and five armed gallies. On beginning to strike the tents, the lights were extinguished. These preparations were executed with much order at Ticonderoga; but not without some confusion at Mount Independence. The general rendezvous was appointed at Skeenesborough, the batteaux proceeding under convoy of the gallies, up Wood Creek, and the main army taking its route by the way of Castletown, upon the right bank of that stream. St. Clair issued from Ticonderoga at two in the morning; Francis at four. The English had no suspicion of what was passing, and the march commenced under the most favorable auspices. But all at once a house which took fire on Mount Independence, roused by its glare of light the attention of the English, who immediately perceived all that had taken place. The Americans finding themselves discovered, could not but feel a certain agitation. They marched, however, though in some disorder, as far as Hubbardston, where they halted to refresh themselves, and rally the dispersed. But the English were not idle. General Frazer, at the head of a strong detachment of grenadiers and light troops, commenced an eager pursuit by land, upon the right bank of Wood Creek. General Reidesel, behind him, rapidly advanced with his Brunswickers, either to support the English, or to act separately, as occasion might require. General Burgoyne determined to pursue the enemy by water. But it was first necessary to destroy the boom and bridge which the Americans had constructed in front of Ticonderoga. The British seamen and artificers immediately engaged in the operation, and in less time than it would have taken to describe their structure, those works, which had cost so much labor and so vast an expense, were cut through and demolished. The passage thus cleared, the ships of Burgoyne immediately entered Wood Creek, and proceeded with extreme rapidity in search of the enemy; all was in movement at once upon land and water. By three in the afternoon, the van of the British squadron, composed of gun boats, came up with, and attacked the American gallies, near Skeenesborough Falls. In the meantime, three regiments which had been landed at South Bay, ascended and passed a mountain with great expedition, in order to turn the enemy above Wood Creek, to destroy his works at the falls of Skeenesborough, and thus to cut off his retreat to Fort Anne. But the Americans

eluded this stroke by the rapidity of their flight. The British frigates having joined the van, the gailies, already hard pressed by the gun boats, were completely overpowered. Two of them surrendered; three were blown up. The Americans now despaired; having set fire to their works, mills, and batteaux, and otherwise destroyed what they were unable to burn, they escaped as well as they could up Wood Creek, without halting till they reached Fort Anne. Their loss was considerable; for the batteaux they burnt were loaded with baggage, provisions and munitions, as necessary to their sustenance as to military operations. The corps which had set out by land was in no better situation. The vanguard, conducted by St. Clair, was arrived at Castletown, thirty miles distant from Ticonderoga, and twelve from Skeenesborough; the rear, commanded by colonels Francis and Warner, had rested the night of the sixth at Hubbardston, six miles below Castletown, towards Ticonderoga.

At five o'clock in the morning of the seventh, the English column under general Frazer made its appearance. The Americans were strongly posted, and appeared disposed to defend themselves. Frazer, though inferior in point of number, had great confidence in the valor of his troops. He also expected every moment to be joined by general Reidesel; and being apprehensive that the enemy might escape if he delayed, he ordered the attack immediately. The battle was long and sanguinary. The Americans being commanded by valiant officers, behaved with great spirit and firmness; but the English displayed an equal obstinacy. After several shocks with alternate success, the latter began to fall back in disorder; but their leaders rallied them anew, and led them to a furious charge with the bayonet; the Americans were shaken by its impetuosity. At this critical moment, general Reidesel arrived at the head of his column, composed of light troops and some grenadiers. He immediately took part in the action. The Americans, overpowered by numbers, fled on all sides, leaving their brave commander, with many other officers, and upwards of two hundred soldiers, dead on the field. About the same number, besides colonel Hale, and seventeen officers of inferior rank, were made prisoners. Above six hundred were supposed to be wounded, many of whom, deprived of all succour, perished miserably in the woods. The loss of the royal troops in dead and wounded amounted to about one hundred and eighty. General St. Clair, upon intelligence of this discomfiture, and that of the disaster at Skeenesborough, which was brought him at the same time by an officer of one of the gallies, apprehending that he should be interrupted if he proceeded towards Fort Anne, struck into the woods on his left, uncertain whether he should repair to New England and the upper part of Connecticut, or to Fort Edward. But being joined two days after at Manchester by the remains of the corps of colonel Warner, and having collected the fugitives, he proceeded to Fort Edward, in order to unite with general Schuyler.